What is lower back pain?
Lower back pain can often be caused by various injuries to muscles or tendons in the back. In some cases, pain can make it difficult or impossible to walk, sleep, work or do everyday activities.
Usually lower back pain improves with osteopathic treatment, exercise and rest, which helps the healing process.
In around 90% of cases, there is no definite explanation for the pain in the form of disease or injury in the back. In 5-10% of cases, the nerve root may be affected due to a herniated disc or due to osteoarthritis of the small joints (facet joints) in the back. In cases of nerve root involvement, there is radicular leg pain and there may be a reduction in strength and sensitivity of the skin in this area.
Around 4/5 people have lower back pain at some point in their lives. Lower back pain, along with neck pain, is one of the most common reasons people visit healthcare providers.
Risk factors
- Age
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Weakened abdominal muscles
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Jobs and activities that require heavy lifting or bending
- Structural and postural problems
- Depression and anxiety
Symptoms
- Muscle aching
- Shooting pain
- Burning in area
- Stabbing sensation
- Radiation to a leg
- Bending, twisting, lifting, standing, walking is limited and/or can make the symptoms worse
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